Often when considering flooring, facility managers choose LVT because it is low maintenance and comes with a protective coating. However, over time that coating can fade with wear. To reduce the impact of everyday foot traffic, prevent scuffs, and give your floors an added shine, you need a protective coating that won’t damage your flooring.

Buckeye is rethinking specialty floor maintenance with Aspida™ . Aspida is a floor coating formulated to extend the life of LVT and other specialty flooring. Because floor strippers can damage LVT flooring, Aspida is strip-free. It protects the floor, creating a soft, more natural look.

Developing Aspida

Buckeye is unique in that we manufacture our own polymers to create our floor finishes and coatings. These are called Renaissance Performance Polymers. Because we create the polymers that are used in our floor finishes and coatings, we control the attributes of each product. 

In creating Aspida, Buckeye developed Polymatrix Technology, a proprietary polymer blend. Through careful manipulation of particle size and distribution, Buckeye has designed polymers and a resin system that eliminates floor stripping, prevents heavy build up, and makes floors easier to clean.

Antimicrobial Product Protection

Aspida also utilizes Microban® antimicrobial technology to provide an added level of proactive product protection against product damaging microbes* - keeping the floor coating cleaner, longer.

All Microban antimicrobial technologies are approved by the US EPA for their specific use in the product in which they are used.

*Microban technology does not protect users against disease-causing microorganisms. Microban Products Company makes neither direct nor implied public health claims. Normal cleaning practices should be maintained.

Buckeye Hard Floor Care Program 

Daily, interim, and restorative maintenance are all important pieces of floor care, no matter your flooring type. The Buckeye Hard Floor Care Program prioritizes labor reduction with quality products and expert training. This complete program has all of the tools and resources you need to keep your floors looking like new.

For more information about Aspida and the Buckeye Hard Floor Care Program, contact your local Buckeye representative.

Microban antimicrobial technology is a built-in ingredient that helps products resist the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew, and other microbes. It is not a substitute for regular cleaning practices, but does continuously fight the growth of microbes and can keep products you purchase cleaner, longer.

What is Microban Used For?

Many companies infuse products with Microban to keep their products cleaner over time. Buckeye uses Microban in Clarion® 25 Floor Finish and Arena® 300 Water-Based Wood Floor Coating. Because they utilize Microban technology, Clarion 25 and Arena 300 have lifetime antimicrobial product protection and live-on floor protection for the products’ usable life.

How Does Microban Antimicrobial Technology Work? 

Microban Antimicrobial Technology is built into Clarion 25 and Arena 300 during the manufacturing process. Once the floor finish or wood floor coating is applied to floors, the built-in Microban technology prevents microbes from growing and reproducing. When bacteria, mold, and mildew come in contact with floors, Microban will penetrate the cell wall of the microbe, disrupting the cell and preventing its ability to make food, grow, and reproduce.*

How is Microban Tested? 

Clarion 25 with Microban technology has been tested using the JIS Z 2801 standard laboratory method and test protocol for antimicrobial activity. the JIS Z 2801 method tests the ability of hard surfaces to inhibit the growth of microorganisms over a 24-hour period of contact.

Why Microban Matters

Floors and soles of shoes are major sources of contamination in healthcare, retail, and educational facilities. In schools, students play on gym floors quickly transferring microbes between their hands and the floor. According to the American Journal of Infection Control, contact with objects on floors frequently results in the transfer of pathogens to hands.

Microban technology in Clarion 25 and Arena 300 can proactively fight microbes 24 hours a day at no additional cost. Find out more when you contact your Buckeye representative.

*Microban technology does not protect users against disease-causing microorganisms. Microban Products Company makes neither direct nor implied public health claims. Normal cleaning practices should be maintained.

School is out for summer and now is the time to reevaluate your floor care routines. While students are playing outdoor sports like baseball and softball, summer time is the perfect chance to revolutionize your wood floor care program.

During the school year, students and athletes come into contact with the gym floor every day. Give your gym floors an added layer of proactive antimicrobial protection with Arena^® 300 with Microban^® Technology.

Microban protection is built-in to Arena 300 during the manufacturing process, and provides continual 24/7 antimicrobial protection for the life of the coating while it is on your floor. When microbes come in contact with the product surface, Microban protection penetrates the cell wall of the microorganism and disrupts the cell, making the microorganism unable to grow and reproduce. Microban protection continuously fights the growth of microbes. Microban protection makes floors easier to clean and keeps them cleaner, longer.*

*Images shown are simulations representative of typical bioburden counts on treated and untreated surfaces.

Now is the Time

Many schools hire contractors to recoat their gym floors. The Buckeye Reflections Wood Floor Program allows your in-house staff to do the work easily and efficiently with equipment you already have. Reflections products are safer for your employees to use with no hazardous crosslinkers and Reflections water-based wood floor coatings have some of the lowest VOCs on the market.

The complete Reflections program includes hands-on training with support from online resources and wall charts that can be posted in janitorial closets. Our expert representatives know the routine, interim, and restorative procedures to keep your gym looking its best for the upcoming school year.

Contact a Buckeye representative to schedule a Buckeye Reflections product demonstration or host a wood floor seminar to see how the program can transform your facility.

*Microban technology does not protect users against disease-causing microorganisms. Microban Products Company makes neither direct nor implied public health claims. Normal cleaning practices should be maintained.

Bacteria, mold, mildew, and microorganisms are everywhere, even airborne, covering surfaces you come into contact with every day. Studies have shown that floors and soles of shoes are sources of contamination.

A study done by the University of Arizona found that soles of shoes average 421,000 units of bacteria and that pathogens can transfer from the floor to shoes and back to floors.

An American Journal of Infection Control study concluded that contact with objects on floors in hospitals frequently results in the transfer of pathogens to hands. They found there is a need to reduce the bacterial burden on floors. 

Whether you work in a hospital, school, or retail facility, finding ways to fight bacteria growth can improve the patient, student, and guest experience in any facility. Clarion^® 25 Microban^® Antimicrobial Floor Finish offers 24/7 product protection to proactively and continuously fight microbes at no additional cost, with no additional labor or procedures.

Microban International was founded in 1984 and is the global leader in surface modification technology which allows an EPA registered antimicrobial to be embedded in a surface. Microban technology is built-in to over 1,000 products in 30 countries on four continents.

How Does Microban Antimicrobial Product Protection Work?

More Than a Product

As part of the Buckeye Hard Floor Care Program, Clarion 25 with Microban technology can provide clarity, durability, and repairability to your floors. The Buckeye Hard Floor Care Program offers products and procedures that reduce labor and product costs while keeping your floors in top condition. 

From routine floor care to annual maintenance, Buckeye products include cleaners, floor finishes, and floor strippers that reduce labor costs and give years of beauty to your floors.

Are You Disinfecting Your Floors?

Buckeye Eco Neutral Disinfectant E23 is a multi-purpose disinfectant that can kill a variety of pathogens without attacking floor finish. It has also been approved by the EPA for use against SARS-CoV-2 with a one-minute contact time. 

See the results for yourself! Contact a Buckeye representative today to schedule a floor demonstration at your facility.

*Microban technology does not protect users against disease-causing microorganisms. Microban Products Company makes neither direct nor implied public health claims. Normal cleaning practices should be maintained.

COVID-19 continues to evolve, causing new variants to occur, many of which are being tracked as the pandemic continues. Because these variants are each unique, they can spread at different speeds and can be more resistant to treatments or vaccines. The COVID-19 variant, Omicron, has been detected in most states and is rapidly increasing the proportion of COVID-19 cases in the US. In addition to getting vaccinated, wearing masks, and maintaining social distance, keeping your environment clean can go a long way in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Facilities hoping to navigate the pandemic should develop a step-by-step cleaning and disinfecting program that will protect people who visit. Buckeye’s Door to Floor: 4 Levels of Protection program can help provide those who enter your facility with peace of mind during the pandemic.

Level 1: Protect Yourself with the Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program

CDC Recommendation: Hand washing is one of the best ways you can help reduce the spread of germs.

Symmetry can help your facility implement a hand hygiene program, providing tools that promote education, awareness, and motivation to practice hand hygiene.

Level 2: Intermittently protect your facility with the Eco^® Proportioning Program

CDC Recommendations: Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces following product label directions and proper dwell times. 

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved several Buckeye products for use against SARS-Related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [cause of COVID-19], including Buckeye Eco One-Step Disinfectant-Deodorizer-Cleaner E22. The Eco Proportioning Program comes with training materials and tools to help staff with proper disinfecting procedures. 

Level 3: Use Clarion^® 25 Microban^® Antimicrobial Floor Finish and Arena^® Microban Antimicrobial Wood Floor Coating

Microban technology is built-in to these products during the manufacturing process. When microbes come in contact with the product surface, Microban technology penetrates the cell wall of the microorganism and disrupts the cell, making the microorganism unable to grow and reproduce. * 

*Microban technology does not protect users against disease-causing microorganisms. Microban Products Company makes neither direct nor implied public health claims. Normal cleaning practices should be maintained.

Level 4: Protect your facility with Gateway Liners and recommendations

Use stronger, better fitting liners to minimize contaminant exposure. Gateway Liners performs rigorous strength, weight, puncture and tear tests.

Properly dispose trash into lined containers and frequently replace liners. Frequently clean and disinfect inside and outside of trash containers. 

Buckeye takes COVID-19 seriously and continues to take a proactive approach in our effort to help minimize exposure to illness. Buckeye programs strive to educate the public on the importance of best cleaning, disinfecting, and hand hygiene practices. Contact your local representative to find out more about Buckeye’s Door to Floor: 4 Levels of Protection program.

Get the most out of your wood floors with Arena^® 300 Microban^® Antimicrobial Wood Floor Coating. Arena 300 is a water-based wood floor coating that utilizes Microban antimicrobial product protection to help inhibit the growth of bacteria. Its exceptional durability and quick dry time make it the best option for schools looking to recoat their gym floors any time of year.

Antimicrobial Protection 

Built into Arena 300 during the manufacturing process, Microban protection continuously fights the growth of microbes on the product surface. Microban protection penetrates the cell wall of the microorganism and disrupts the cell, making the microorganism unable to grow and reproduce. For schools that are looking for an added level of proactive antimicrobial protection, Arena 300 is the perfect fit. Microban protection continuously fights the growth of microbes, and makes wood floors easier to clean – keeping them cleaner, longer at no additional cost. This added protection empowers schools, creating a cleaner learning environment for students.*

Water-Based Wood Floor Coating

Water-based wood floor coatings like Arena 300 have very low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Reflections’ water-based wood floor coatings have some of the lowest VOCs of any wood floor coating on the market. With such low VOCs, gym floors can be recoated during the school year and even prepped during school hours. Arena 300 provides exceptional durability and shine, scuff and scratch resistance, and superior film hardness. It’s quick dry time and extremely mild scent make it ideal for schools that need to schedule gym floor recoating around sporting events and other school functions.

Reflections Wood Floor Program

Arena 300 is part of the Reflections Wood Floor Program, an easy to follow, cost effective wood floor care program that provides years of beauty, safety, and durability for your wood floors. Alongside exceptional products like Arena 300, Reflections provides professional training for your staff, catered to the needs of your gym floor. Learn more about Arena 300 and wood floor care by contacting a local representative today.  *Microban technology does not protect users against disease-causing microorganisms. Microban Products Company makes neither direct nor implied public health claims. Normal cleaning practices should be maintained.

On Dec 27, 2020, the COVID-19 Relief Package was signed into law, providing additional financial assistance to K-12 schools. This funding can be used towards cleaning supplies and programs, staff training, and other resources needed to address coronavirus in schools.

The new relief package allows for a broad range of uses and specifically mentions:

• Providing resources for principles to address coronavirus in their schools
• Training staff on the best ways to sanitize and schools and proper use of personal protective equipment
• Purchasing PPE and the supplies needed to clean and disinfect schools

Find more information on the COVID-19 relief package here.

How Can Buckeye Help? 

Buckeye’s maintenance programs provide door to floor protection for schools. Buckeye’s 4 levels of protection include hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting, antimicrobial floor protection, and custodial training that follows CDC recommendations.

Level 1: Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program

The CDC states that hand washing is one of the best ways to help reduce the spread of germs. The Symmetry Hand Hygiene Program provides tools that promote education, awareness, and motivation to practice hand hygiene.

Level 2: Eco^® Proportioning Program

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved several Buckeye products for use against SARS-Related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [cause of COVID-19], including Buckeye Eco One-Step Disinfectant-Deodorizer-Cleaner E22.

Following CDC guidelines and label directions, clean and disinfect frequently touched objects with the help of the Eco Proportioning Program. Buckeye’s Eco Proportioning Program is fully integrated with effective, hermetically sealed products for any applications.

Level 3: Clarion^® 25 Microban^® Antimicrobial Floor Finish

Continually protect your facility with Clarion 25 Microban Antimicrobial Floor Finish and Arena^® 300 Microban Antimicrobial Wood Floor Coating. While not a substitute for normal cleaning practices, Microban protection continuously fights the growth of microbes, and makes floors easier to clean - keeping them cleaner, longer at no additional cost to you.

Level 4: Honors^® Custodial Training Program

The Buckeye Honors Program is a complete custodial program for schools and universities that presents the products, procedures, and training needed to meet a school or university’s highest standards. Honors features videos and tests on enhanced disinfecting and proper hand hygiene procedures during COVID-19.

For more information about all of Buckeye’s cleaning programs and how Buckeye can help your school combat COVID-19, contact your local Buckeye representative.

The Reflections^® Wood Floor Program is built around meeting and exceeding tough environmental regulations, and manufacturing products that are easier and safer for employees to use, while also meeting the stringent expectations of Facility Administrators.

Health Safety Features

Reflections wood floor coatings do not require crosslinkers, which contain polyfunctional aziridene. Other manufacturers use this raw material to crosslink their products for durability. Unfortunately, this crosslinker can have a negative impact on the health of employees and visitors, including respiratory and nervous system health implications.

All Reflections wood floor coatings meet the strict VOC regulations of each state and are single component, 100% urethane products. Using 100% urethane products significantly improves indoor air quality, worker and visitor health safety, and reduces mixing mistakes and overall costs. 

Urethane Wood Floor Coatings

Reflections offers both water-based and oil-based wood floor coatings. When a wood floor is first installed, it’s important to keep water away while the floor boards expand, contract and stretch. For the first few years of a wood floor’s life, oil-based wood floor coatings can help fill the grooves of the new wood floor and move with the floor as it settles. Reflections’ Coliseum^® Oil-Based Wood Floor Coatings are easy to apply and meet VOC compliancy in every state. They offer superior gloss, exceptional durability, and are scratch and scuff resistant.

For older wood floors, Reflections’ Arena^® Water-Based Wood Floor Coatings offer the lowest VOCs, allowing for wood floors to be recoated during normal business hours. Unlike oil-based wood floor coatings, Arena Water-Based Wood Floor Coatings allow for light sports play just 48 hours after the last coat is applied and fully cure 1 week after the last coat is applied.

In addition to mild scents, high gloss, and exceptional durability, Arena^® 300 with Microban^® Technology provides facilities with an extra level of protection. Microban protection is built-in to Arena 300 during the manufacturing process, and provides continual 24/7 antimicrobial protection for the life of the coating while it is on your floor. Microban protection continuously fights the growth of microbes, making floors easier to clean and keeping them cleaner, longer.

Training

Our experts can help you become an expert. When you begin using the Reflections Wood Floor Program, you receive hands-on, personalized training from our expert Reflections representatives. We also provide MFMA (Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association) approved web-based and DVD training, to help guide you as you learn about recoating and maintaining your floors in-house.

Reflections is focused on providing a program that offers the best combination of appearance, application, durability, safety, VOC compliancy, and cost on the market. To learn more about wood floor care and Reflections, contact your local Buckeye representative. 

Wood floors are some of the most beautiful floors in your facility. They’re also some of the most expensive floors. The Buckeye Reflections^® Wood Floor Program can help reduce the cost of maintaining your wood floors, enabling you to recoat them in-house, utilizing equipment already available in your facility.

Reflections products can help you achieve cleaner, brighter, longer-lasting floors that can extend your maintenance cycles. Depending on your facility needs, Reflections offers the greenest, lowest VOC water-based wood floor coatings and the latest, state-of-the-art oil-based wood floor coatings. Reflections maintenance products will clean and restore gloss to your floors between coatings without damaging the floor coating.

In addition to providing superior gloss and durability, Reflections also wants to put the health and well-being of students first. Reflections offers Arena^® 300 Microban^® Antimicrobial Wood Floor Coating, a wood floor coating that continuously fights the growth of microbes and bacteria at no additional cost to you. When microbes come in contact with the product surface, Microban protection penetrates the cell wall of the microorganism and disrupts the cell, making the microorganism unable to grow and reproduce.

Top-of-the-line products combined with in-person and online training is key to the success of the Reflections Wood Floor Program. Buckeye’s full line of wood floor care products comes with hands-on, personalized training from a Reflections representative. This hands-on training covers preparation, recoating, and maintaining your wood floors. For additional assistance, the Buckeye Honors Program can help employees review procedures and teach new employees the proper techniques. Honors presents the complete Reflections Program through a series of videos, providing tests for employees and reporting so managers can review progress of employees.

Reflections’ superior products and training programs can save help you save 35% or more on wood floor maintenance. Achieve lasting results and become an expert in wood floor maintenance with the help of Reflections representatives. See how much you can save by contacting your local Buckeye representative for more information.

Buckeye’s Hard Floor Care Program is built on innovation, resulting in the highest quality products that are proven to increase efficiency, produce excellent results, and save money. Renaissance^® Performance Polymers serves as the foundation for the Hard Floor Care Program, creating polymers specifically for Buckeye floor finishes.

Renaissance is Buckeye’s exclusive line of floor finish polymers. Other floor finish manufacturers buy polymers from companies who do not specialize in making floor finishes. Some of these competitive floor finishes lose clarity or become less durable over time. Because Buckeye is committed to providing the highest quality products, it’s important for Buckeye floor finishes to achieve maximum durability and water clear clarity. With Renaissance, Buckeye is able to replicate exact specifications of a polymer for floor finishes giving Buckeye complete control over the characteristics of each floor finish.

Buckeye’s polymer research has resulted in longer-lasting floor finishes that can reduce your facility’s strip out cycle. Renaissance Performance Polymers provides value by eliminating the cost of third-party polymers and creating top-of-the-line polymers that reduce labor costs for the end user.

With state-of-the-art equipment, research, and the highest quality standards, Renaissance helps Buckeye construct floor finishes that consistently provide an enhanced appearance for floors with the least amount of labor. Renaissance Performance Polymers are manufactured in a state-of-the-art polymer production facility. This facility was designed with employee and environmental safety measures in place. Governmental agencies have rated our VOC emissions as “de minimis” (too small or insignificant to be considered).

Beyond Renaissance, Buckeye continues to innovate with its patented Liquescent^® technology, designed to eliminate hazardous ingredients like butyl, solvents, and alcohol bases. Even more recently, Buckeye has incorporated Microban^® technology into its Clarion^® 25 floor finish to inhibit the growth of bacteria on floors. As new technologies emerge, Buckeye’s Hard Floor Care Program will continue to evolve to bring the best value to customers.

For more information on Renaissance Performance Polymers and Buckeye’s Hard Floor Care Program, contact your local Buckeye representative.